Christian Schaaf's Blog + Portfolio

Author: cschaaf933

  • MODULE 1: BASIC MOTION

    Readings and Writings

    In the Introduction and Chapter 1 sections of Animated Storytelling, Liz Blazer discusses the importance of pre-production for any creative project. She begins her book with making a distinction between animation and motion graphics. Animation, on the one hand, derives from the movie-making industry while motion graphics has been part of the graphic design discipline. She provides tips on how to become an expert storyteller and defy gravity through animation.

    Described as the doorway to creating a successful animation, Blazer breaks down the pre-production process into three steps: Concept Development, Previsualization, and Asset Building. During the Concept Development phase, animators should start with creating a creative brief and answer the following questions: What must it be? Who is it for? How long must it be? What is the objective? What is the deadline? The next step is to identify the Big Idea and follow the Yes…and rule, welcoming any idea that comes to mind. Then, it’s time to zero in and create an elevator pitch, capturing the tone, plot, and theme within a sentence or two. Blazer suggests a few more helpful exercises in boiling down the main idea of a project, including creating a six-word story and tagline.

    Previsualization is the next step where an animator develops concept art, solidifies design direction, and establishes animation methods. During this phase, it is helpful to find inspiration online and experiment with different mediums in the physical world. This step is all about experimenting with design directions and making changes to the story based on this experimentation.

    The final stage, Asset Building, is where an animator identifies all needed assets, including logos, character designs, props, fonts, scripts, and more – essentially any piece that is needed to create the final project. Then, Blazer suggests to create a style frame, a single image that encapsulates the overall look of the project. Once these steps are completed, it is time to move onto the production phase.

    Research to Inform

    1.) Running GIF

    The first GIF I chose is a running GIF, and I selected this one because running is a big part of who I am. I also thought it would be interesting to see what a drawn running GIF would look like since we are tasked to draw our own GIF this week. I feel that animating a runner would be tricky because both legs and both arms are moving at all times. I personally like that the outline of the runner is not “perfect” and has some interesting lines that add texture to the GIF.

    2.) Text GIF by Matthew Butler

    I have always been fascinated with text animations, especially in movies. With having no prior experience in creating animations, I am intrigued by the different movements of each letter. I like the geometric feel of this GIF and how the movement is either completely horizontal or vertical. The two lines between each word are a nice touch too, furthering the idea of “Line Dash.”

    3.) Banana Cheerleader GIF

    As I was researching GIFs, this one stood out to me for a variety of reasons: I was not expecting to see a cheerleading banana, and the bright yellow color made it pop. I also like how the banana looks side-to-side in addition to moving its arms. This is a creative, eye-catching GIF.

    4.) Penguin at the Olympics

    This GIF also stood out to me because of my love for the Olympics. I like this GIF because there are two different parts of the animation: (1) waving and (2) pointing at the medal. I think that was a creative combination of movements. This also caught my eye because part of the image is static (podium and Olympic rings) while the penguin is in motion, which I think adds a nice contrast to the GIF.

    5.) Lion and Young Girl

    I wanted to find a GIF where there were two subjects interacting with one another. First, the line art is incredible. I also like how the animator had the girl move first, and then the lion, and then the girl again. Not only are the two subjects animated, but the lines that create those subjects are in constant movement. This animation strategy gives the GIF a greater sense of excitement and energy.

    6.) Globe GIF

    I chose this GIF specifically because I like the series of animations throughout the GIF – the globe spinning, to the zooming in, and then the construction of the building. When the building appears, I like how the foundation appears first, then the walls, and then the roof. It’s almost like the building is being built before us. I thought this was a very interesting way to capture that idea.

    7.) Happy New Year GIF

    In contrast to the “Line Dash” text GIF above, I wanted to find another text GIF where the text was dormant and there was another element of the image that was animated. I thought it would be interesting to compare the look of each text GIF. I think the confetti animation completes the purpose of this GIF, but if I had to choose, I think I like the other one more because of the greater visual appeal. I do however like that the text is the background for this GIF and the confetti is the only element that is moving.

    Create

    1.) Photoshop Cut-Out: Olympic Rings

    For my first GIF creation, I used an image from VectorStock.com. I created different layers for each Olympic ring and used the video timeline method to create this animation. Creating layers with the Olympic rings was a little tricky. I used the Magic Wand tool to select each ring, but because the rings overlap with one another, I had to create two separate layers for each ring and then merge them together. I then used the Loop Playback feature to create a loop. If I were to continue this animation, I think I would add an animation to “PARIS 2024.”

    2.) Onion-Skinning: Beach Scene and Back Flip

    This was my first time ever using Adobe Animate, and as I watched inspiration GIFs for this project, I saw one of a bird which reminded me of the beach. I was also watching a gymnastics meet earlier in the day, so I decided to combine both ideas and create a beach scene with a bird flapping its wings and a person doing a back flip on the sand. Onion skinning and drawing with a mouse were both challenging, but practice makes perfect! Using the onion skinning button in Adobe Animate was very helpful, especially with the person doing the flip, to ensure that they followed a circular path. I’m excited to continue to use this program and improve my onion skinning animation skills.

    3.) “You Are My Sunshine” GIF

    For my third GIF, I decided to go back into Photoshop and experiment more with the timeline feature. For this GIF, I created different frames for the sun and drew different-length rays in each frame to create the sun animation. I also retrieved an orange and yellow background image from vecteezy.com and created frames for this too. For the background, I slightly adjusted the Hue/Saturation levels in each frame to create the changing background colors. I wanted to add some text and chose the “Cardives” script font. In the future, if I were to continue editing this GIF, I might add some animation to the text to increase its size or change the opacity/transparency in each frame.

  • Using Social Media as a Superpower

    Using Social Media as a Superpower

    Social media is more than just a tool: it’s a superpower. When used thoughtfully, it becomes a powerful way to promote other forms of communication.

    I’m sharing how I created social media posts to promote my upcoming long-form essay. Each post was designed with best practices in mind, tailoring the tone, length, and content to fit the unique style of LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads.

    LinkedIn

    Caption: Running is more than just hitting the pavement – it’s about strategy. To optimize performance and reduce injury, you need to focus on the three pillars of running success:

    ✅ Smart training techniques
    ✅ Proper nutrition and fueling
    ✅ Effective recovery practices

    In my latest article, I break down these principles with expert insights, research, and personal experiences to help runners at all levels achieve their goals.

    Whether you’re aiming for a personal best or staying consistent, this guide offers advice to improve your performance and keep you in the game.

    Read my findings here: (include link here).

    #RunningPerformance #TrainingTips #NutritionForAthletes #RecoveryMatters

    Rationale:

    LinkedIn is a professional platform, and this post maintains a sophisticated tone. The graphic is 1200 x 627 pixels, which is the recommended size for LinkedIn images. I used a sans serif font in the graphic to add to the professional feel of the post. The check marks create a clean and organized structure. Ending with “Read my findings here” directly encourages action. The hashtags will help those interested in sports and fitness find this post, including high-performance coaches and nutrition industry leaders.

    Instagram

    Caption: Running isn’t just about miles – it’s about strategy. 🏃‍♀️

    Key to peak performance? Smart training, proper nutrition, and effective recovery.

    My latest article dives into these ideas and offers tips for runners to stay strong, improve speed, and recover better.

    Read more by clicking the link in my bio!

    #RunningGoals #Training #RunnersLife #FitnessTips

    Rationale:

    Anna Sonnenberg’s article “Instagram Organic Content Strategy: What Works in 2023” explains that using relevant keywords is important so users can easily search for your content. The shorter caption grabs attention quickly and includes actionable keywords like “training,” “nutrition,” and “recovery.” The tone is more casual than LinkedIn. The hashtags are concise and appeal to the target audiences of runners and fitness enthusiasts. Since Instagram is a photo-sharing app, I used an actual picture and a thicker, more playful font to catch the attention of Instagram scrollers.

    Threads

    Caption: Do you want to learn the key ingredients to running success? Become the best version of you: (include link here).

    Rationale:

    Threads is used for quick updates. This new app allows up to 500 characters per post, and the more concise the post, the better. “How to Use Threads: 10 Best Practices for Success” describes that using an approachable tone and posing a question are both great strategies to engage with the younger, casual, tech-savvy users on Threads. My questions in the caption and image both invite viewers to learn more about optimizing running performance. This post appeals to younger runners and athletes who are looking to improve their fitness.

    It is important to tailor your content to each platform and write strategically so you can reach your intended audiences and boost engagement.

  • The Starting Line: Finding the Lead in Racing and Writing

    The Starting Line: Finding the Lead in Racing and Writing

    The starting line was packed. Nervous jitters and excitement traveled through my body. Hearts were racing. The only sound I could hear was my own heartbeat. And then, we were off.

    Before I knew it, I was running with professional, sponsored athletes as we bounded down the streets of Indianapolis. Crowds lined the course, their cheers electric. The energy was contagious. With all the excitement, one thought kept popping in my mind: Stick to the race plan.

    The first half of the race flew by in what felt like seconds. I tucked myself into a group of three runners, and together, we shared the work. Taking turns at the front, we discussed goals between labored breaths, forming a bond as we moved through the field.

    As we weaved through crowded streets, mile markers ticked by. When we hit mile 10, the wear and tear of the race began to set in. Grabbing water while running, I kept pushing.

    The final stretch was a blur. Soreness crept through my legs, but the sound of the cheering crowd carried me forward. With one last push, I crossed the finish line. A volunteer placed a medal around my neck, and I stood there knowing I had given it everything I had.

    I completed the half marathon.

    This week, I dove into another challenge: mastering the art of writing leads. Much like the starting line of a race, the lead sets the tone for the journey ahead. It’s a part of writing I occasionally struggle with. Sometimes, a lead comes to me naturally and I know exactly how I want to start a writing piece. Other times, it feels like I’m at mile 10, pushing through to find the right words.

    When I’m stuck, I often jot down ideas for the rest of the project or write a rough draft before circling back to the beginning. In On Writing Well, William Zinsser offers valuable advice on crafting leads: there are no strict rules, but the goal is to always engage the reader with the first sentence of your piece.

    For my race story, I leaned into storytelling – one of Zinsser’s recommended techniques. Storytelling is my favorite approach. It’s why I chose to study Communications and Graphic Design. To me, writing is like designing: my goal is to paint a vivid picture, letting readers feel like they’re experiencing every step with me.

    Of course, not every lead lands perfectly. Some ideas come together with ease, while others require more effort. My advice? Focus on capturing your audience’s attention, and don’t be afraid to revisit and refine.

    So, what do you think? Did my storytelling hook make you want to read the whole story?

  • Writing for Yourself: The Power of Simplicity and Authenticity

    Writing for Yourself: The Power of Simplicity and Authenticity

    The Audience: How Well Do We Really Know Them?
    When we write, design, or create videos, we often focus on tailoring the message to our audience. But how well can we truly define them? Sure, research can help us get closer to understanding their interests and needs, but is it ever possible to know them fully? If we can’t pinpoint every detail, how do we ensure our work will resonate with our audience?

    This week, as I read On Writing Well by William Zinsser, I encountered a thought-provoking paradox:

    You must write for yourself.

    This idea felt counterintuitive at first, even contradictory to everything I have been taught. But as I considered it, I began to understand Zinsser’s statement.

    How Can Writing for Yourself Engage an Audience?
    You might wonder, “If I only write for myself, how will my audience connect with it?” Zinsser’s answer is simple: you can’t control whether your readers will resonate with your writing style or humor. Writing for yourself doesn’t mean ignoring the audience – it means trusting that your authentic voice will attract those who appreciate it.

    In “The Source of Bad Writing,” Steven Pinker argues that confusing prose often results from writers intentionally choosing unclear language. I know this firsthand: when I come across an article packed with complex jargon, I lose interest quickly. Writers sometimes forget that their readers aren’t experts on the subject and fail to clarify concepts or terminology. As a reader, I value simplicity and clarity – qualities that bring readers in rather than push them away.

    Write Like You’re Speaking to a Friend
    One piece of advice from Zinsser particularly resonated with me:

    Never say anything in writing that you wouldn’t comfortably say in conversation.

    In college, and even high school, I used large, complex words in my writing to sound more “academic.” I thought complexity meant quality. My goal was to impress teachers and professors with my vocabulary, but I often sacrificed meaning and clarity. Did my readers fully understand? When I re-read my work, did I even understand it?

    Simplicity is Key
    If readers struggle to grasp your message, they’re likely to stop engaging with your work. Crafting simple, clear sentences is an art that takes years to perfect, but it’s well worth the effort. Zinsser reminded me that if I lose my authentic voice and can’t make sense of my own words, I lose my purpose as a writer.

    I’ll leave you with this thought: great writing isn’t about being complicated or overly polished. It’s about connecting with readers in a way that feels honest and easy to understand. So, write for yourself, stay true to your voice, and simplicity is often the most powerful choice.

  • Exploring the World of Creative Possibilities

    Exploring the World of Creative Possibilities

    From the moment Christian visited The Philadelphia Art Museum as a child, his passion for art was ignited. A trip to the Photography Impressionist Exhibit introduced him to the beauty of landscapes, people, and animals captured through photos, sparking a curiosity that would shape his future interests. He found his love for storytelling and knew that he wanted to pursue a creative career.

    Raised in the small town of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Christian explored his artistic interests in high school. His passion for creativity led him to courses in Art and English, where he could express himself both visually and in written form. When he was finishing high school, he did not know the exact creative path to pursue, but he knew that he wanted to blend both art and writing in his future studies and career. He was excited to dive into this next chapter, but this was also daunting since he did not know his exact path.

    Christian continued to explore these interests at Elizabethtown College, where he pursued a double major in Communications and Graphic Design. Taking courses like Visual Communications, Typography, Graphic Arts, Public Relations, and Marketing solidified his choice in pursuing these majors. Christian’s path started to become clearer, and he was eager to learn and become involved in his college’s Communications and Art Departments. His college experience was filled with unique opportunities, including hosting his own radio show, becoming a Journalism tutor, collaborating with a local business to create a company logo, and working as a tour guide in Elizabethtown’s Admissions Office.

    Following graduation, Christian began his professional journey as a Communications Specialist at a special education school and has worked there for the past two years. In this role, he manages the school’s website and social media presence, maintains consistent branding, illustrates student life through photography, and creates promotional materials for the Development Department. Every day presents new opportunities for creativity, whether he’s writing, designing, or photographing moments around campus.

    Looking ahead, Christian hopes to continue down this creative path with dreams of becoming a creative director or design manager in the sports industry. His love for running makes this a very exciting path for him, combining his interest in athletics with his passions for branding, communication, and design. Now pursuing a master’s degree in Interactive Media and Communication, Christian is looking forward to expanding his skillset, building connections, and pushing himself to think more innovatively.

  • Mastering the Art of Simple Writing

    Mastering the Art of Simple Writing

    Have you ever felt lost and confused in a sea of words, trying to decipher complicated sentences? Writing that’s both clear and inviting takes practice. This week, I took a dive into William Zinsser’s On Writing Well, uncovering techniques that transform cluttered text into meaningful, easy-to-follow prose. Here’s a look at two lessons I am going to adopt to write understandable and easily digestible blogs.

    1. Simplicity is Key
    2. Creating Structure

    Simplicity is Key

    In the past, I thought that using complex vocabulary would make my writing more sophisticated and professional. However, Zinsser argues that simplicity is the true indicator of strong writing. Cluttered words and over-complicated phrasing can easily obscure meaning. The goal should be to make your writing as easy as possible for readers to understand, making it feel like a smooth transaction between writer and reader.

    Zinsser emphasizes that clear writing requires cutting out unnecessary words, jargon, and any complex language that might confuse readers. Simplicity requires discipline, and often the final, concise product is the result of several rounds of revision. When I began working as a school’s Communications Specialist a few years ago, I experienced this firsthand. In the first website article I was asked to write, I leaned toward formal language and complex vocabulary, the style of prose that I would use throughout my college essays. My boss pointed out that simplifying my sentences would make the article more accessible to our audience. It was a lesson that stuck with me: the clearer my writing, the more powerful it becomes for the reader.

    Creating Structure

    We’ve all skimmed past a big block of text, right? I know I have. A wall of advanced words can feel overwhelming. Structure invites readers in, breaking down ideas into digestible pieces. As the article “16 Blog Rules” suggests, using headers, lists, short paragraphs, and readable font sizes is essential for online writing. This visual structure not only enhances the reader’s experience but also makes it easier to find specific information.

    The “AU Style Guide” notes that structured writing also improves search engine optimization, increasing the chances of your article reaching a wider audience. With structured, easy-to-read writing, readers are more likely to stay engaged and ultimately get the most out of what you have written.

    Final Thoughts

    Incorporating clarity, simplicity, and structure is essential to create effective communication pieces. I hope these tips make this blog post both enjoyable and easy to read. Let me know, did you find it easy to navigate and understand? Fine-tuning my writing is a work in progress. Remember, simplicity is the way to go!

  • Under the Algorithm’s Spell: Breaking Free from Social Media’s Grasp

    Under the Algorithm’s Spell: Breaking Free from Social Media’s Grasp

    Do the negative aspects of social media outweigh the positives?

    I was late to the social media game, mainly because my parents encouraged me to stay off the platforms in high school. Looking back, I’m actually thankful they did. It wasn’t until the summer after graduation that I created my first social media account—a rare occurrence in today’s world. The reason? To stay in touch with high school friends as we went to college.

    Since then, I’ve found myself falling into the same social media traps that millions of people experience. During the pandemic, I joined TikTok and quickly found myself scrolling endlessly. Platforms like TikTok are designed to keep us hooked, and the more time we spend on the app, the more we engage with its content.

    The “Foundations of Humane Technology” course from the Center for Humane Technology sheds light on this. It defines “persuasive technologies” as scientifically tested design strategies that manipulate our behavior toward a specific goal, such as spending more time on a website or app. TikTok’s algorithm tracks the content you interact with—videos you like, recent searches—and then curates a feed to keep you scrolling. This might sound harmless, but it’s all part of a larger strategy to maximize user engagement, even if it means hijacking our attention.

    The more I learn about inhumane technology, the more I realize how platforms are intentionally designed to capture and hold my attention. TikTok, for example, delivers an endless stream of content it knows we’ll enjoy – not just to entertain, but to keep us scrolling. It’s a time trap we fall into without even realizing it.

    That being said, there is one feature on TikTok that hints at a step in the right direction—an occasional pop-up that encourages users to take a break after extended periods of scrolling. It’s a nice gesture toward promoting mental health, but from my experience, it doesn’t appear until hours of usage. By then, has the app already achieved its goal of keeping me engaged for as long as possible?

    Overall, I believe technology, especially social media, takes advantage of users to serve its own purposes. Yet, there’s a shift happening. According to the Center for Humane Technology, harmful technologies are no longer getting a free pass. More people are recognizing the value of their attention and pushing back against these manipulative designs.

    The question remains: How long will it take for significant change? While we wait for stronger regulations, we have to take matters into our own hands—setting screen limits, finding other ways to connect with loved ones, and spending more time outdoors. In this fast-paced digital world, taking care of our mental health and protecting our attention has never been more important.

  • Taming the Chaos: How I Find Structure in a Fast-Paced World

    Taming the Chaos: How I Find Structure in a Fast-Paced World

    Does anyone else feel like getting organized is impossible? Like as soon as you finish one task, another one pops up, leaving you feeling like you can never catch a break? Getting organized is tough—sometimes the hardest part is just figuring out where to start. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose track of everything—work projects, personal tasks, school assignments. Most of the time, I rely on the old-school method of jotting down tasks in a notebook, especially for work and school. At work, I keep a daily list and check off each task when completed, which always feels satisfying. I did the same during my undergraduate years.

    Recently, I was introduced to digital project management systems, tools designed to plan and organize projects more efficiently. As a visual learner, I knew I wanted a system that would not only help me stay organized but also present my projects in a creative, visually appealing way. After exploring options like Asana, Podio, and Trello, I decided to go with Trello. It stood out because of its customizable visual interface—who doesn’t love fun colors and images?

    When I set up my Trello board, I used a simple structure with three sections: To-Do, Doing, and Done. This method allows me to see what I’ve already accomplished, focus on the most pressing tasks, and plan for the future. This structure keeps me from feeling overwhelmed, as it helps me focus on one task at a time. Instead of jumping between multiple projects and draining my mental energy, something Johann Hari discusses in Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention – and How to Think Deeply Again, I tackle each task one by one.

    Because I’m a designer and love working with color, I customized my Trello board using my favorite colors to visually break up each section. For the background, I chose an image of the Northern Lights, which speaks to my love for nature and the outdoors. Incorporating these elements made the system feel more personal and enjoyable to use. So far, I’ve set up my board to organize my school tasks, but I plan to expand it to include both work and personal projects as well.

    I’m also applying a key piece of advice from Jennifer Whitt, Director of ProjectManager.com, who talks about the importance of collaboration at every stage of a project, from brainstorming to execution. Once I expand my Trello board to include work-related tasks, I plan to share it with my boss and co-workers so they can stay updated on my current workload. This way, as a team, we can hopefully stay organized and complete our work in a more efficient way.

    Getting organized is the hard part, but once everything is in place, it makes a world of difference. This is a great beginning step, and I’m excited to continue to explore other ways to organize my daily tasks.

  • From FOMO to Focus: How I’m Learning to Manage Stress

    From FOMO to Focus: How I’m Learning to Manage Stress

    Stress is everywhere. In a society that often glorifies constant productivity, appearances, and staying busy, it can feel impossible to slow down and enjoy the moment. With technology feeding us a constant stream of information, reducing stress can be a real challenge. Personally, I struggle with putting my phone down, afraid of missing out — the FOMO is real. So, the question becomes: how can we effectively manage stress in today’s world?

    Johann Hari, in Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention – and How to Think Deeply Again, discusses his own battle with stress and how disconnecting in Provincetown helped him regain control of it. He talks about how our surroundings and the people in our lives can significantly impact our stress levels. Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, in her research and work in pediatrics, emphasizes the importance of feeling safe to focus effectively. She explains that in secure environments, our minds can switch off distractions and dive deeply into a single task. Similarly, Dr. Jon Jureidini, a child psychiatrist in Adelaide, Australia, states that our minds can only relax when we feel safe. When we sense danger, even subconsciously, our minds become hypervigilant, always on the lookout for potential threats.

    I can relate to this as I think back to my own childhood. When I was younger, I could easily spend hours completely focused on one thing—whether it was drawing an entire neighborhood in my driveway with chalk, complete with intersections and unique house designs, or building a town out of blocks. My mom used to say that during the holidays, it would take me days to open all my gifts. I’d open one present and play with it for hours before even thinking about the next one. That level of focus was possible because my environment was free from stress.

    As an adult, things are different. Juggling multiple responsibilities—working full-time, attending grad school part-time, managing finances, maintaining relationships—takes a toll. It’s no wonder my attention span has decreased; there’s just more to handle now. I could focus so well on drawing those neighborhoods in my driveway because I didn’t have the stress that comes with adult life.

    So, how do we manage stress as adults? In my experience, it’s much harder than it was when we were kids with fewer responsibilities. I’ve learned that when we’re in a safe, comfortable environment, we can try to adopt Dr. Harris’s approach: focus on one thing at a time. When I manage to do this, it works most of the time. It can still be difficult to stay focused on just one task. In those moments, I believe we should try to control the distractions within our reach. Put the phone, the watch, the other technology aside, and give yourself permission to be fully present with whatever you’re working on. When we do that, our stress levels might just take a dip.

  • Doom Scrolling to Strolling: My TikTok Detox

    Doom Scrolling to Strolling: My TikTok Detox

    Giving up something in your daily routine is always a challenge. We’re creatures of habit, and, let’s be honest, change is tough. In a world that’s increasingly digital, we rely on our screens for connection, entertainment, and distraction. I know I do. So, this week, I gave up my favorite social media platform: TikTok.

    Before diving into the experiment, I did what no one ever wants to do: look at their screen time. TikTok was my most-used app—by far. I wasn’t surprised. I love the creativity that TikTok brings to my feed—new recipes, travel inspiration, incredible artwork. But, like many of us, I’ve fallen victim to the infamous “doom scrolling.” What starts as 15 minutes can quickly turn into two hours of endless swiping. I thought to myself, “can I actually give up TikTok…and survive?”

    For a week, I tracked two types of data: behavioral and emotional. On the behavioral side, I focused on how many times I reached for my phone, how long I spent on it, which apps I opened, and what I did to replace TikTok. Emotionally, I tracked how I felt each day, how productive I was, and whether I felt more present in my daily life.

    Before starting the experiment, I reviewed my last three weeks of phone usage. In total, I spent 80 hours on social media—about 26-27 hours per week. TikTok accounted for 42 of those hours, averaging 14 hours a week. I was captivated by TikTok like a bug is drawn to light, but this was a wake-up call. I couldn’t justify saying, “I don’t have time to do that” anymore since I spent so much of my time on TikTok.

    Inspired by Giorgia Lupi and Stefanie Posavec’s “Dear Data” project, I decided to approach my experiment in a similar way—tracking the data and then illustrating it with hand-drawn visuals.

    The first two days were the hardest. I kept reaching for my phone and accidentally tapping the TikTok icon out of habit. I also found myself using Instagram as a replacement for TikTok, but even that didn’t last long. By Thursday, I didn’t feel the need to check TikTok at all. I filled my time with walks during lunch and going to bed earlier.

    By the end of the week, my phone usage had dropped significantly, and I was mostly using just Spotify. Without the constant comparison that comes with social media, my self-esteem improved. I was more focused at work and felt less distracted by notifications. I wasn’t losing time to what Hari describes as the “switch cost effect” in Stolen Focus. Instead, I felt genuinely happier because I was more productive and present.

    Moving forward, I plan to continue this progress by setting social media time limits and taking my watch off during the day to avoid distractions. After completing this experiment, I now know that I can still function with less social media.

    The question is, can you survive a TikTok detox?